Lives in Cricket No 52 - Schooled in Cricket (2nd edition)

108 But I think there are more important things to do on a Sunday than play cricket. I also think it is contrary to God’s law to turn Sunday into a day for sport.” Johnny was asked in this interview if he had any word he would like to pass on to young people through the Recorder . “‘Yes,’ he said, his face radiant with his usual beaming smile. ‘Tell them to carry the spirit of prayer and a fully- surrendered life into their games. They will come up against temptations but they needn’t fear if they look to God and follow Jesus Christ. Tell them to leave strong drink alone and don’t smoke, and work for the abolition of hate, ill-will and war.’ ” Johnny’s main standpoint concerning his benefit was simply not to allow himself to make profit for his own good by Sunday play. A letter from Reverend Eric Robinson in the Recorder on June 22 which appealed to fellow Methodists to support Johnny’s benefit, as well as a mention in the Church Times and an interview by Crawford White in a national newspaper of the day, the News Chronicle , even a sermon by the Bishop of Bath and Wells at Wells Cathedral, had a big effect on all denominations of Christians but especially fellow Methodists. It brought him a huge correspondence and a huge number of donations to his benefit fund on account of his principles from Christians worldwide but especially all corners of Britain. These letters (which I have been privy to), many of them anonymous, universally regard Johnny’s stand as sacrificial. Johnny himself could not possibly have expected that on the rebound from his ‘sacrificial’ stand he would actually be the recipient of a bumper benefit – it was one of the highest ever for a Somerset player at that time. The family still have the letters – some of them sent to Johnny personally and some sent to the benefit fund care of Somerset – and thus referring to him in the third person. The bulk of these letters of support come from fellow Methodists and some even disclaimed any interest in cricket – but all of them applauded his principled stand. Over £2,000 in mailed donations augmented other funds A first class career with Somerset